Secretariat set to monitor research produced in country

Caption: CHIEF Executive Officer of the Science and Technology Secretariat Council, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

CHIEF Executive Officer of the Science and Technology Secretariat Council, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, revealed plans afoot to regulate protect the body of research done in the country.

He said in a conference last week, that since the secretariat’s establishment in 2013, the state has taken a bold move to recognized research as a basis for effective development.

“We are thankful that the government as of 2013 has decided to establish the Science and Technology Council, and the Secretariat is actually a milestone for the development of PNG,” Matainaho said.

“No country in the world can exist without knowledge, and it comes about through research and the development of science and technology in any situation.”

“PNG is a hub for knowledge because it’s filled with resources, materials which have formed which have formed the basis for researchers who have come to this country so we want to address that issue.”

He said that with the support of the Minister for Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, they hope to get a better coordination of research in the country and to get the government to have a clear focus to research.

“For a long time we actually have not developed a research plan, and there is no science and technology strategy in this country. We basically provided a flexible environment where people have come and without due attention carried out valuable research and we do not even follow up on trying to understand the outcome of the research,” he said.

“At this point in time the preliminary indication that we have indicates that the large part of research done in PNG, the knowledge that is generated in this country through research is not in the country.”

“About up to 90% of the knowledge actually resides outside of the country, and that is one of the situations that we need to rectify because it will impact on our ability to access information which is actually used by others to advance their science, social, industries and so forth.”

The CEO added that there is the need to start looking at ways to create a program that allows research to be done in this country with the support of outsiders to assist conduct research and implement our program so that the expertise developed remains in the country to improve critical systems like health, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and other sectors.

“We started this last year which ensures that the universities are better coordinated, so the government will have information that will be a pool to inform the government on what is happening, which will enable the government to establish a clear plan and clear sense of priority of what the kind of research we should be doing so that it will clearly be directed to addressing issues of our people in this country.”

“Our people need to be lifted in their economic and social situation, providing opportunities through knowledge we have.”

“We are highly dependent on imported knowledge and imported technology in this country- in our shops there is very little coming from Papua New Guinea in them in the manufacturing industry and it demonstrates a lack of creativity, lack of the ability where we are the basic consumers of innovation.”

Caption: OCCD Executive Director Varigini Badira

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

EXECUTIVE Director for the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD), Varigini Badira, called for the need for a national policy on the use of fertilizers in the country.

Mr Badira said that with the harsh effects of climate change gripping the country, and our dependency on the agricultural sector- the use of fertilizers was now becoming an issue where there isn’t a policy in place to monitor what has been put into the ground as fertilizers in nutrient depleted soils.

“People are encouraging the use of fertilizers, but the disposal of them is another issue,” Badira said.

“The other good thing is that since places like Goroka is a coffee hub, the waste coffee shells can be used as fertilizer, however, what they do now is that they burn all the waste husks.”

“The Objectives of such a policy would govern the rules on the quantity, disposal, usage, and who regulates those rules.”

Badira referred to the greenhouse factor, which is up to 6 to 7 times more carbon monoxide than natural sources as an area where the use of fertilizers were contributing to.

“If you have 100 tonnes of fertilizers, how do you use it and the rule governing its usage,” he said.

“We have to identify relevant laws that will enforce the policy, like accepted ratio of mixing the fertilizer products, the monitoring of it use in the country, and the systems in place to channel these fertilizers in an effective and safe way to protect our environment.”

“Using such things, users of such products have to be certified, and companies have to be monitored when supplying such chemicals.

“Currently we do not have a law on the use of fertilizers and we have no idea on what is being put into the land and their long terms effects, and this is one of the main areas that contributes to a lot of emissions.”

Soso moving the green province initiative forward

Caption:  Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

WITH its declaration of being a green province in the country- Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso announced various plans her government was taking in living up to the proclaimed title of going green, during the signing of an MoU between the province and the Office of Climate Change to establish solar farms throughout the province.

The governor emphasized the need to adopt clean technology method in the agricultural sector which the province is much reliant on and in other areas of reforestation, conservation, green development.

“We must adopt clean technology in the agriculture sector especially in the farming methodology and designs.”

“Such technologies can boost organic production and simultaneously enhance ecological efficiency via the bottom-up approach.”

“Out institutions must design technologies that are economically and ecologically efficient.”

She also pointed out her government’s reforestation plans that have seen them embark on the planting of 1 million trees per year beginning 2015.

“Community forest nurseries will be developed while schools will also develop school based forest nurseries.”

“We must develop our towns and cities to greenery through advanced urban planning and design where building construction, waterways, sewerage systems, communication and electricity, walkways and parks and gardens are developed with eco-standards.”

“The public transport system must be eco-friendly and efficient thereby reducing pedestrian congestion and carbon emissions.”

Soso added that without losing focus, emphasis would be put on rural infrastructure developments and conservation programs that will see economic benefits for the people through carbon crediting.

“I am glad that anMoU has been signed with Wildlife Conservation Society for a biodiversity study within the UN REDD+ project zone that ranges from Daulo Pass to Mount Gahavisuka.”

“I am also aware of the existence of other NGO conservation development partners within the province- we will continue to consolidate our efforts in partnership to develop this province.”

She said that the biodiversity study is expected to add value to the REDD+ zone, adding value also to the tourism sector in the province.

“As we continue to drive for green development through nature conservation, preservation of cultural heritage and its diversity, preservation of flora and fauna, wildlife management and biodiversity conservation, we will in turn appreciate the benefits through eco-tourism.”

“Such environment services complemented by sound infrastructure development and advanced urban planning will lay a formidable foundation for the tourism industry.”

OCCD supports biomass power generation

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) has reaffirmed its support behind biomass generation of electricity.

Biomass energy generation is the oldest forms of that uses plant and animal material waste, which Executive Director for OCCD Varigini Badira referred to queries on the status of the Markham Valley Biomass project in Morobe Province.

“We fully support that program that in Markham valley is run by Aligned Energy limited,” Mr Badira said.

“I commend Aligned Energy Limited and Oil Search for the vision to set up a biomass facility in Markham.”

“Power generation cost to a biomass facility is small compared to diesel generation- it may not produce a lot of generation but it is good for business and also good for the environment.”

He said that use of biomass fuels to produce cheap electricity was encouraged and is what they call ‘Climate Compatible Development,’ that is good.

“It goes through a process to recognize such projects as climate compatible projects there is a step you have to follow and those are recognized by the United Nations Convention for Climate Change which we are all a part of and it is legally bounded to the Kyoto Protocal.”

“There are guideline and processes we follow, and Oil Search has come through those guidelines, just like New Britain Palm Oil with there biomass facility in Kimbe and also in Oro and Milne Bay that have biomass facilities setup and registered under the office of Climate Change.

“We encourage that as a national government policy Climate Compatible Development Policy talks about power generation through more sustainable renewable sources, so government is promoting that.”

He said the concept is viable for good for business and also good for the environment for the country.

Green province signs MoU for solar farms

Caption: (L) Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato exchanging the signed documents, as Governor Soso looks on, to the ED of OCCD Varigini Badira.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

DUBBED the first declared green province in the country- Eastern Highlands has further boosted its clean green approach with the signing between the provincial government and the Office of Climate Change and Development (OCCD) for the construction of solar farms in three districts within the province.

Present at the signing on Mondayin Goroka was Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso, Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato, and the Executive Director for OCCD MrVariginiBadira.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the construction of three solar farms in remote parts of the districts of Obura-Wanenara, Okapa, and Daulo.

It will see the setting up of solar power plants that will service district facilities like schools and aid posts.

Strong advocate for the green initiative, and EHP Governor Julie Soso, was pleased that the signing took place, emphasizing that with the challenges affecting the environment- drastic measures are to be taken to mitigate the climate phenomenon.

“Taking into account all values of life we must embrace the green province mechanism in order for us to accept the global environmental calamities posed by global climate change, and develop appropriate mitigation and adaptation strategies now or never,” Governor Soso said.

“Our habitat and the cultural diversity together with its biodiversity are at risk- gradually the survival of human race is also at risk, we must consolidate our development methods towards a climate resilient community.”

“We must adapt clean energy like solar, and I am glad that the technical team from OCCD has conducted initial investigations into my three districts, one project will be in Ivingoi (Okapa), the other in Obure-Wonenara, other in Kwongi(Daulo)that studies begun in 2014.”

She added that with the construction phase to begin, once completed the same concept will be setup in other districts to use clean energy to generate electricity.

“We will reduce carbon emissions and thereby converting them into carbon stock for trading purposes as we are faced with challenges ahead, we must also take on opportunities that come our way today.

“It is pleasing to announce that K1 million has been put to the construction of solar farms in the three sites this year.”

“I am ready to give these projects to the rural people, it is both obligatory and mandatory. I am confident that this relationship with the green province and the OCCD will provide yet another rare opportunity for us to explore into common areas of benefit that will result in increased exchanges in the areas of mitigation and adaptation.”

OCCD Executive Director VariginiBadira commended the province for its proactive approach, and in addition announced moves by his office through the Ministry of Environment and Conservation through the minister responsible for submission to NEC for counterpart funding of the project

“I would like to commend the Eastern Highlands Provincial government led by the Governor Soso, and I would also like to commend the administration for their support.”

“Going green is a noble cause, it is a divine cause as climate change impacts on our lives and not only destroys the nature that has been created but also impacts the lives of our children and our people as well.”

“A submission has already been made ready for NEC to support the initiative for counterpart funding from the national government.”

“The office of climate change fully supports the project and is committed to support the initiative of the governor and the province to develop the green province,” MrBadira said.

He added that through the government endorsed National Climate Compatible Development Policy- Eastern Highlands government is one of the first province implementing the Climate Compatible Development Policy under the National Responsible Sustainable Development Strategy that the government adopted last year.

90 percent of local research outside of country: Matainaho

Caption: Chief Executive Officer of the Science and Technology Secretariat Council, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, March 1, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

CHIEF Executive Officer of the Science and Technology Secretariat Council, Professor Teatulohi Matainaho, revealed plans afoot to regulate protect the body of research done in the country.

He said that since the secretariat’s establishment in 2013, the state has taken a bold move to recognized research as a basis for effective development.

“We are thankful that the government as of 2013 has decided to establish the Science and Technology Council, and the Secretariat is actually a milestone for the development of PNG,” Matainaho said.

“No country in the world can exist without knowledge, and it comes about through research and the development of science and technology in any situation.”

“PNG is a hub for knowledge because it’s filled with resources, materials which have formed which have formed the basis for researchers who have come to this country so we want to address that issue.”

He said that with the support of the Minister for Higher Education, Research Science and Technology, they hope to get a better coordination of research in the country and to get the government to have a clear focus to research.

“For a long time we actually have not developed a research plan, and there is no science and technology strategy in this country. We basically provided a flexible environment where people have come and without due attention carried out valuable research and we do not even follow up on trying to understand the outcome of the research,” he said.

“At this point in time the preliminary indication that we have indicates that the large part of research done in PNG, the knowledge that is generated in this country through research is not in the country.”

“About up to 90% of the knowledge actually resides outside of the country, and that is one of the situations that we need to rectify because it will impact on our ability to access information which is actually used by others to advance their science, social, industries and so forth.”

The CEO added that there is the need to start looking at ways to create a program that allows research to be done in this country with the support of outsiders to assist conduct research and implement our program so that the expertise developed remains in the country to improve critical systems like health, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and other sectors.

“We started this last year which ensures that the universities are better coordinated, so the government will have information that will be a pool to inform the government on what is happening, which will enable the government to establish a clear plan and clear sense of priority of what the kind of research we should be doing so that it will clearly be directed to addressing issues of our people in this country.”

“Our people need to be lifted in their economic and social situation, providing opportunities through knowledge we have.”

“We are highly dependent on imported knowledge and imported technology in this country- in our shops there is very little coming from Papua New Guinea in them in the manufacturing industry and it demonstrates a lack of creativity, lack of the ability where we are the basic consumers of innovation.”

Oro supports East Papua University establishment

Caption: (L) Higher Education, Research Science and Technology Minister Malakai Tabar shakes to the commitment of Oro Governor Gary Juffa. 

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 22, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

IN the governments bid to boost the number of tertiary institutions in the country in partnership with existing institutions in targeted provinces, the provincial government of Oro has confirmed its support in the initial phase of the establishment of the East Papuan University in the province.

Speaking at a media conference that included Governor for Oro Gary Juffa and the Minister for Higher Education Research Science and Technology Malakai Tabar- the ministerial working committee explained that a total of six projects identified by the government under the NEC decision number 220 of 2014, which sets out to establish 6 regional institutes and modernize two other that have been operating for some time.

One being the current Oro campus of the University of Natural Resources and Environment, the Sepik Agriculture College and four others.

Governor for Oro Gary Juffa, while confirming the commitment of his government thanked the Minister Tabar for progressing the matter through the national government taking steps to make the project a reality.

“We have decided to fund the first phase, we will be having a PEC (Provincial Executive Council) meeting and the decision to fund this phase will be made during that meeting whereby a team will be funded made up of educationalists from the province to work with a team established by the Minister for Higher Education in how we can transit the process and how we can establish the University of Eastern Papua,” Governor Juffa said.

“I would like to invite my fellow governors from the Papuan Region to help me develop this university, that will be primarily a university that will be focused on agriculture but will also look a various subjects that we want to also develop a curriculum around to also start looking at developing young managers, young leaders from the university to cater for the demands for the Papuan Region.”

“Education is the greatest investment that leaders can make- it has long term positive effects, it will progress development, and also move our nation forward.”

Minister Tabar explained the role of the department of Higher Education, Research Science and Technology was to make sure that a cordial relationship with the provincial governments on the ground existed to effectively establish government’s decisions.

“It is a short term thing, it is not going to be a case where we will demand from either the Oro or other provincial government, but we would like to make sure as we touch base with the environment and the people there we would like to make sure that leadership and confidence is established,” Minister Tabar said.

“This decision from the NEC is for me to lead a team to make sure that we can implement to carry out this, where we will establish a council for the Oro Eastern Papua University.”

“We would like to make sure the administrative the academic and effectively the council is in place to manage and look after that institution that will primarily look at agriculture as a primary sector of existence and sustenance, and will also have secondary and tertiary studies also.”

He added that the institution was not only an institution for East Papua but basically for Papua New Guinea as a whole.

With initial funding already in place, they said that it was expected that by 2018 or 2019, the first lot of students will enroll when all initial requirements have been met and developed.

No meddling with Vagrancy Act: PM

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 22, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the response from Prime Minister Peter O’Neill when responding to calls by Rabaul MP for the Rabaul Open Dr Alan Marat on the issue of settlements and the lawlessness associated with them

Dr Marat referred to the number murders, stabbings of people, break and enter, and burglaries are committed to people and businesses in Rabaul’s Takubar business district.

“While citizens of this nation have the constitutional right of the freedom of movement, what is your government’s policy on allowing the continued existence of settlements and illegal squatters?” Marat asked.

“Does the government have any plans to review and amend section 52 of the constitution which provides for the right to freedom of movement with the view to completely obliterate this evil of illegal squatting?”

In his response, the PM expressed concern on hearing of the issues in the town, however, he reiterated that there was no intention by the national government to impede the freedom of movement of citizens in the country.

“I am saddened to hear that some of our illegal settlers have continued to cause hardship to many of our residents around the Takubar area in Kokopo,” O’Neill said.

“No I will not adjust Section 52 of the constitution, because the last thing any government should do is to interfere with the rights of our people including the freedom of movement.”

“I know that it is easy and very tempting to try and introduce acts like the Vagrancy Act but we must never forget that these are our people that need our help and we must be innovative in our programs like public houses and the availability of land; those are the things that we should encourage.”

He said that as the national constitution provides, they can not stop the movement of people throughout the country where they want to go.

“The settlements must take place in settlement areas where they are legally entitled to settle, not where the land belongs to customary or villages who rightly own those land and as a result all these settlements are taking place in this country.”

“One of the things that this government is pursuing today is trying to have planned settlement- like what we have been piloting here in Port Moresby where we are trying to put up titles to the settlers in many of the settlements throughout the city so they can move into planned settlement area where they have got access to a titled serviced land and have access water, sewerage and power.”

“Many of the settlers in illegal settlements are also workers we see everyday and are not just anybody- they are our citizens and we need to look after them, it is our neglect that has allowed them to go and find settlements in areas, and I am certain that they do not want to settle either.”

He added that as a responsible government and as a solution to address issues tied into the influx of citizens into settlements the government is embarking on planned settlements in all the major towns and cities throughout the country.

“We are starting off in Port Moresby but this program will be extended to Lae, kokopo, Mt Hagan where government will acquire land, if it doesn’t have the land that is sitting there that is state owned without development will be compulsory acquired back and will be titled, subdivided and given back to citizens so that they can settle in those areas.”

“Government’s next major project will be public housing program. We will fully go into the public housing program.”

“Every settlers who is settling in illegal settlements will be encouraged to move on to those titled areas, so that they will have clean water, they will have better road access, power supply going to those areas and of course they will most of all have a title that will rightfully belong to them.”

National Identity system questioned

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 22, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE issue of the constitutional right to freedom of citizens was a topic of query, on Friday in parliament, in relation the National Identification System that has been rolled out currently throughout the country.

Governor for Morobe Kelly Naru raised his concern to the Minister for national Planning of the exercise impeding the privacy rights of citizens and the security of information obtained.

“There is great concern and it appears that these exercises are bordering on the threat to violate certain sacred and fundamental rights of citizens of this country guaranteed by the PNG constitution,” Mr Naru said.

“I am referring to the right to privacy and confidentiality, the right to freedom of information and expression.”

“For the record can you tell this house and the nation under what constitution and legal basis is this identification process being rolled out.”

Responding the query, Planning Minister Charles Able said that the basis of the data system was to enable effective planning by the national government to meet the needs of citizens in the country.

“One of the things that PNG has lacked is the lack of good statistics and data- we have never fully understood the demographic of our country, the movements of our people,” Minister Able said.

“Hence it has hampered targeting our plans and development activities, getting the CPI (Consumer Price Index) figures, the household, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and business survey so that once and for all we can get accurate GDP information.”

“This is a part of a broader exercise to once and for all get our statistics ready and up to date, and the national ID program is simply a part of that, the governor refers to the rights of citizens we understand and acknowledge that.”

Able said that the interest of government is the fundamental rights to the peoples needs in regards housing, education, health, and many of the things it currently struggles to deliver.

“In order to do that best you need a good population information management system- that is the fundamental underlying basis.”

“In the government there is an agency entitled by law the Civil Registry Act and have the necessary protect the issues around that information.”

“What we have done in our attempt to fix this system and also empower the registry office and bring it into the fold of this exercise as well.”

He said the legislation brought through has been fully embedded and authorized by law- going through the relevant provisions that give the registry office the authority and power to collect information.

“The constitutional requirements are already in place with the agency responsible- what we are doing is empowering that agency to better do that work and extend its reach of the collection of information now through the National Identity Information System and Data base.”

“I don’t think there are any issues at law because we have covered them already; however, it does not mean that the concerns are not there,” Able added.

Identity theft rife in the country

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, February 22, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

RESPONDING queries concerning the National Identity Information System and Database in Parliament on Friday- Minister for National Planning Charles Abel highlighted the fact that identity theft was rife in the country.

He said the system was vital in addressing the issue that had plagues systems of governance and society in general.

“At the moment you have exercises in terms of voting, in terms of registration that are happening with people utilizing the identity of other people,” Minister Able said.

“Well known through the election process we have issues where you can vote under the name of another person.”

“When you go to collect your birth certificates you can just carry a bunch of names just down to the civil registry office to register some land under the guise that you are somebody else.”

He added that with the role of the systems and its fixed offices to be setup in districts and provinces- people will be able to access birth certificates down at the provincial level.

“Also down there will be the civil registry officers, NSO (National Statistics Office) officers, and Planning will be down there.”

“Exercises like census, updating the common role, and all exercise related to education and others will come from a system that is timely and we can produce up to date and live statistics for the purpose of planning and going forward.”

“This is a genuine intention, a genuine exercise by our government to just get info up to date, where the information can only be accessed by the relevant government agencies.”

He concluded that on Monday he along with the prime minister will travel to Mendi to open the first Fixed Data Collection Center, with other important rural areas to follow.